Acoustic recommendations

K Shep · « **on:** 5 Aug 2009, 02:15 pm »

As I upgrade my system I have expanded my listening tastes to include Jazz and tons of Female Vocal. I have come to enjoy acoustic recordings too. Please share your favorite or top 10 acoustic albums/CD's. I have alway been a fan of Ottmar Liebert. I recently picked this up used on Amazon for $0.61 you can't beat the price:

Ottmar Liebert - Opium
http://www.amazon.com/Opium-Ottmar-Liebert-Luna-Negra/dp/B000002B3H/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1249481445&sr=1-13

I am also interested in those hidden gems like this CD, it is very well recorded:

Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill Acoustic
http://www.amazon.com/Jagged-Little-Acoustic-Alanis-Morissette/dp/B0009WFF0Y/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1249481564&sr=1-10

Kirk

bprice2 · « **Reply #1 on:** 5 Aug 2009, 05:11 pm »

Right off the top of my head, the following come to mind as most excellent acoustic recordings:

- Red Stick Ramblers: Red Stick Ramblers
- Red Stick Ramblers: Bring It On Down
- Robinella and the CC String Band: Robinella and the CC String Band
- Jerry Douglas, Russ Barenberg & Edgar Meyer: Skip, Hop and Wobble
- The Green Cards: Weather & Water
- The Green Cards: Movin' On
- Steve Earle & The Del McCoury Band: The Mountain

mjosef · « **Reply #2 on:** 5 Aug 2009, 05:26 pm »

Sample any TUck and Patti album, they are a husband and wife duo of voice and acoustic guitar. Their albums are all well recorded.

R_burke · « **Reply #3 on:** 5 Aug 2009, 10:12 pm »

Open fire, two guitars by Johnny Mathis

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Aug 2009, 07:17 am »

A few for you....

Tommy Emmanuel - "Live One".....

Michael Hedges - "Live on the Double Planet"...

Tony Rice - "Unit of Measure"...

Jackson Browne - "Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1".....

Alex De Grassi - "Tata Monk"....

Buddy Guy & Junior Wells - "Alone & Acoustic"....

....

Duke Ellington,Charlie Mingus,Max Roach - "Money Jungle"....

Oscar Peterson - "Tracks"....

......

The Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz - "Chant: Music For The Soul"....

PhilNYC · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Aug 2009, 11:37 am »

Jake Shimabukuru - Gently Weeps (jazz/fusion ukelele)
Muddy Waters - Folk Singer (acoustic blues)
McLaughlin/DiMeola/DeLucia - Friday Night in San Francisco (live flamenco/jazz guitar trio)
Doug MacLeod - Come to Find (XRCD version) (acoustic blues)
Tommy Emmanuel - Endless Road (finger-picking guitar)

rockadanny · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Aug 2009, 02:57 pm »

Great suggestions thus far. The McLaughlin/DiMeola/DeLucia (first cut especially) played loud will send thrills down your spine. A few more recs:

John Mayall - Turning Point
Adrian Legg - Guitar Bones
Cecilia Bartoli & Andras Schiff - The Impatient Lover
Townes Van Zandt - Live at the Old Quarter
Ralph Stanley - Clinch Mountain Gospel
The Be Good Tanyas - Blue Horse

K Shep · « **Reply #7 on:** 7 Aug 2009, 11:34 pm »

Gentlemen,
Thank you for the recommendations. Here is a CD I picked up recently. IMO great guitar work.

Three Guitars -
http://www.amazon.com/Three-Guitars-Larry-Coryell/dp/B0000A4GDZ/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1249687901&sr=1-8

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #8 on:** 8 Aug 2009, 05:57 am »

Quote from: K Shep on 7 Aug 2009, 11:34 pm

Gentlemen,
Thank you for the recommendations. Here is a CD I picked up recently. IMO great guitar work.

Three Guitars -
http://www.amazon.com/Three-Guitars-Larry-Coryell/dp/B0000A4GDZ/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1249687901&sr=1-8

You should hear Larry on this one - solo...it's excellent.

http://www.amazon.com/Visions-Blue-Coryell-Plays-Gershwin/dp/B0007TYKFK

K Shep · « **Reply #9 on:** 14 Aug 2009, 04:58 pm »

I never really understood the attraction of Cindy Lauper except for her version of "Time After Time". While searching Amazon I came across her Acoustic album. So in my attempt to pump some youth into you old guys, I thought I would give this recommendation a shot. Other artists that sing or perform on the album are Sarah McLachlan, Ani DeFranco and Jeff Beck. I enjoy most of the CD and it is well recorded.

Cindy Lauper - The Body Acoustic
http://www.amazon.com/Body-Acoustic-Cyndi-Lauper/dp/B000CDSS2M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1250268647&sr=1-1

You can't go wrong used $2.00 on Amazon.

Kirk

TF1216 · « **Reply #10 on:** 14 Aug 2009, 05:07 pm »

Andy MKee "Art of Motion" gets my juices flowing once in a while.

Check out youtube to see him in the recording studio making the CD.

oldmp3 · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 Aug 2009, 05:15 pm »

If you like fiddle: Elana James. She has opened for Dylan and Willie Nelson. And anything from her group, the Hot Club of Cowtown.

gjclaxton@gmail.com · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 Aug 2009, 06:35 pm »

lots of good suggestions. a couple more

Muddy Waters Folk Singer
Brooks Williams Little Lion

gary

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #13 on:** 15 Aug 2009, 06:15 am »

I didn't mention...Willie And Lobo.....

Check out the different Cd samples....

jqp · « **Reply #14 on:** 15 Aug 2009, 05:41 pm »

Quote from: K Shep on 5 Aug 2009, 02:15 pm

I am also interested in those hidden gems like this CD, it is very well recorded:

Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill Acoustic
http://www.amazon.com/Jagged-Little-Acoustic-Alanis-Morissette/dp/B0009WFF0Y/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1249481564&sr=1-10

Yes! I have this, and I am playing it now! It has lots of acoustic instruments but is really a studio album with digital modification.

I recommend these - some of the best acoustic guitarists in the world, and mostly a more 'pure' acoustic experience

'Americana' - Tin Pan Alley/folk/bluegrass/mountain music:
Norman Blake - Whiskey Before Breakfast or just about anything by him
Doc Watson - Just about anything by him - try to get the older stuff with Merle Watson, newer stuff he is not in his prime, I think he is in his 80s now
David Grisman(Dawg) and his Acoustic Disc series he has a massive mandoline collection - includes some Jerry Garcia, Doc Watson, Tony Rice also
I particularly recommend the Tone Poems III CD set - amazing compilation of resophonic instruments playing a wide variety of styles!

Gypsy jazz (Django style):
Birelli LaGrene - Gypsy Project and Friends, Gypsy Project, Move

'New Age' Americana:
Leo Kottke - 6 and 12-String Guitar, just about anything else by him

Cuban/Latin:
Buena Vista Social Club with Ry Cooder

Male accapella:
Take Six

Jazz:

And for a real treat pick up some of Marty Grosz' albums

I was going to rant about how the recording industry doesn't "do" acoustic music, but I will abstain for now

K Shep · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 Aug 2009, 02:36 pm »

Quote from: jqp on 15 Aug 2009, 05:41 pm

Quote from: K Shep on 5 Aug 2009, 02:15 pm

I am also interested in those hidden gems like this CD, it is very well recorded:

Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill Acoustic
http://www.amazon.com/Jagged-Little-Acoustic-Alanis-Morissette/dp/B0009WFF0Y/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1249481564&sr=1-10

Yes! I have this, and I am playing it now! It has lots of acoustic instruments but is really a studio album with digital modification.

I recommend these - some of the best acoustic guitarists in the world, and mostly a more 'pure' acoustic experience

I was going to rant about how the recording industry doesn't "do" acoustic music, but I will abstain for now

Thanks jqp,
I am a newbie. So forgive my ignorance regarding what I may describe as acoustic when in fact it may be modified. I made a comment in this thread "you old guys", that was a joke. It was my attempt at sarcasm. Some of the suggestions that have been posted are of the older variety. I started this thread so that I may learn from members who have been involved in this hobby longer than I have. So far there have been a number of great recommendations. Please keep them coming.

jqp,
Let me know if you own or have heard this CD. One of my favorites.
Alice in Chains - Unplugged
http://www.amazon.com/Unplugged-Alice-Chains/dp/B000002BM5/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1250432207&sr=1-7

Kirk

ted_b · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 Aug 2009, 03:00 pm »

This is quite good; it's well recorded and great musically....Nils Lofgren - Acoustic Live

K Shep · « **Reply #17 on:** 20 Aug 2009, 01:53 am »

I had known about Badi Assad and enjoy her music. I searched on Azon and found this...shortly after that first listen it was in my collection.

Larry Coryell, Badi Assad, and John Abercrombie - Three Guitars
http://www.amazon.com/Three-Guitars-Larry-Coryell/dp/B0000A4GDZ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1250732744&sr=1-1

Kirk

TRM · « **Reply #18 on:** 21 Aug 2009, 02:27 am »

Allison Kraus & Union Station - Live

phenomenal band, fantastic female voice, outstanding recording

jqp · « **Reply #19 on:** 22 Aug 2009, 02:32 am »

Quote from: K Shep on 16 Aug 2009, 02:36 pm

Thanks jqp,
I am a newbie. So forgive my ignorance regarding what I may describe as acoustic when in fact it may be modified. I made a comment in this thread "you old guys", that was a joke. It was my attempt at sarcasm. Some of the suggestions that have been posted are of the older variety. I started this thread so that I may learn from members who have been involved in this hobby longer than I have. So far there have been a number of great recommendations. Please keep them coming.

jqp,
Let me know if you own or have heard this CD. One of my favorites.
Alice in Chains - Unplugged
http://www.amazon.com/Unplugged-Alice-Chains/dp/B000002BM5/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1250432207&sr=1-7

Kirk

Don't have that one - I will have to check them out

In my mind, when I think of "acoustic" I think of instruments and vocals recorded by mics only, no preamp or amps as part of the instruments. This would include an awful lot of older recordings made before I was born. Also it would include Symphonies, Orchestras, and Opera, Big Band and 'classic' Broadway Musicals that my parents liked. Nowadays it seems to mostly be recordings of guitars, mandolins, violin, upright bass, piano, drums, etc. which would encompass jazz, bluegrass, and of course the orchestral recordings. But acoustic to me is going to involve producers who make a special effort to record the 'natural' tones of acoustic instruments and voices. This is as opposed to mass produced digitized studio production. Electric instumentation is a juggernaut because it is more convenient for the record companies and studios, and they can also shape tastes this way and therefore make more money, and because its easier for the artists.

There is nothing wrong with something in between the two extremes if it is done the right way, but I do prefer getting the 'pure' acoustic sound. As better technology develops, that should get easier, but probably wil be done less and less.

One thing I see very often that I hate to see is an 'acoustic' performance with an electric bass! This happens because a) it is convenient and b) there are fewer talented and disciplined musicians who will play the upright/double bass. Anyone who plays acoustic guitar and bass knows how much easier it is the play the electric guitar and electric bass. It is also much more convenient to record them and synthesize them into a mix. But there is nothing like a fine acoustic instruments played well and of course recorded well whether it be Ron Carter on the bass, your favorite pianist, or acoustic guitarist, etc. It's a shame the Big Band era is gone when we have such good recording and reproducing technology! It can be difficult to find good recordings of all this acoustic kind of music though, and I really appreciate all these recommendations, some I have some I don't.